E.H.Miller Positive Behavior Support and Social Skills

PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports) is a nationally recognized program that supports positive student behavior through the use of preventative, proactive strategies in a systemic way. Instead of using a patchwork of individual behavioral management plans, a continuum of positive behavior support for all students within a school is implemented in areas including the classroom and non-classroom settings (such as hallways, cafeteria, restrooms). E. H. Miller's 4 fundamental school wide expectations are:Bee RESPONSIBLE
Bee RESPECTFUL
Bee SAFE
Bee Socially Wise

Positive behavior support is an application of a behaviorally-based systems approach to enhance the capacity of schools, families, and communities to design effective environments that improve the link between research-validated practices and the environments in which teaching and learning occurs.

These systems of support improve lifestyle results (personal, health, social, family, work, recreation) for all children and youth by making problem behavior less effective, efficient, & relevant. Desired behaviors become more functional! http://http://www.pbis.org/schoolwide.htm

Postive Behavior Systems are in place at all Putnam County Schools. E.H. Miller, started a token ecomony three years ago. Students earn “Bee Bucks” for performing their job of being a good student and citizen.There are 3 goals that we want students to learn through their Bee Buck token economy & BEE Mart store:

Positive Behavior is recognized & rewarded in life.

How to save $ and how to count $.

The joy of giving! Students are encouraged to use their bee bucks to buy presents for their family.

The school recognizes that everyone makes mistakes sometimes, so if a student makes a mistake in the morning and they lose that $1, they still have a chance to correct their behavior and earn their afternoon $1.

PBS systems promote extrinsic rewards. Extrinsic rewards can be a great way to shape a new behavior. They use the phrase "What gets rewarded, gets repeated" in animal training, and it works the same with people. The reward can be anything - acting out in class is inherently rewarding for some students, they get attention, whether it be negative or positive. So you have to find a way to take away the "reward" for disruptive behavior and add a "reward" for quiet behavior. Eventually being quiet and paying attention becomes intrinsically rewarding.

They key is to never let the reward turn into a bribe. That's where many of us fall short in any kind of behavior management, turning positive reinforcement into bribery. Students must earn the item and connect it to the positive behavior. There are some intrinsically motivated, less tangible rewards as well. Here are just some ideas:

School Wide Social Skills & Behaviors of the Week

Along with parents, our teachers are responsible for teaching social skills along with the academic content. While some students seem to fit right in, others struggle, bringing with them social and emotional issues. This is where teachers and staff have the opportunity to assist develop social and emotional resiliency.

Each child is an individual. Each child needs something different. Some students are so used to getting put down, that all they know is how to put others down. Lack of social/emotional skills is displayed in different ways. Students may lack abilities to problem solve, or they may show inappropriate aggression.

If we can spend more time in our classroom teaching social/emotional skills, then we're allowing those kids to fit in and be bonded. Very often the aggressiveness that we see is simply a veneer, a protection, because they don't know what else to do. They don't have any other choices. So we're going to help them make better choices.

Here at E.H. Miller we will be participating in the Character Counts program this year. Each month will have a character focus.

RespectAugust & September (Recognized at September Terrific Kids Ceremony)

Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

ResponsibilityOctober (Recognized at October Terrific Kids Ceremony)

Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set a good example for others

CaringNovember & December (Recognized at December Terrific Kids ceremony)

Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

Citizenship(January)

Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment • Volunteer

Fairness(February)

Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly • Treat all people fairly

Trustworthiness(March)

Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, and country

April: All Pillars & May: Data-based

The monthly character focus will be reinforced on the morning intercom announcements, and adults around the campus are encouraged to award Bee Bucks to any student on campus “caught” demonstrating the behavior for the day or week.